Berthing Operations Working Group (BOWG)

Berthing Operations Working Group

The Port Marine Safety Code requires that a port’s navigational Safety Management System (SMS) should provide, wherever possible, for (ship towage) tug crews to train with pilots and other port marine personnel involved in mooring and unmooring vessels.

Historically, the Port of London Authority (PLA) operated two liaison Groups: the Pilotage/Ship Towage/VTS Training & Liaison Group and the Safe Mooring Group, which considered ship towage operations, training and procedures; and safe mooring and unmooring operations in the port. The PLA in consultation with members of the two Groups decided to merge them, to create the Berthing Operations Working Group, to better facilitate co-operation and training. The new Group first met in July 2013.